Chapter 35
Tryouts
As it was the beginning of the school year a lot of the various clubs and sports teams were getting started. The walls were covered in posters advertising all of the extracurricular activities. The walls of the cafeteria were littered with different promotional messages for the groups. “Anypony doing anything this year?” Astro asked her group curiously. None of them had ever done so in previous years, but she kept in mind that there was a new pony in their circle.
“Nah, nothing that interests me.” Kara replied dismissively.
“Yeah, there’s nothing new, it’s all the same stuff as last year.” Spot agreed.
“And every year before that.” Diplo added in confirmation.
“If you want to see something new maybe you could try and start it up.” Ink suggested.
“Yeah, well I’m fine just being at school for as long as we are now. I don’t need to be here any longer.” Kara answered simply.
“I don’t see what’s so bad about it.” she argued.
“C’mon, I have so many better things I could be doing with my time.” she explained.
“Like what, sleeping?” Spot questioned.
“Yes, actually. Sleep is a good thing. It’s really too bad that I can’t sleep in cause school.” she retorted. They started to go back and forth over the topic with each other neither one satisfied with the other’s argument.
“What about you?” Astro asked their newest member Zone while the others squabbled among themselves.
“I don’t know for sure yet.” he admitted with a shrug, “I’m probably going to stay after school for the initial meeting for the Flight Team here.”
“That’s cool. I remember you said that you liked aerodynamics and the like.” she responded with a grin.
“Yeah, but I’m not really sure about it yet. I’m just going to look. It’s not that big a deal really.” he said dismissively.
“Yes it is.” she argued, “That’s very exciting! When is it?”
“In a couple of days, but the first meeting isn't really going to be much. The next couple are the actual tryout days.” he informed her.
“Okay. Are we allowed to come and watch?” she inquired.
“What do you mean?” he questioned looking surprised.
“We could come and cheer you on. It would be fun.” she explained happily.
“I still don’t even know if I’m going to participate. You don’t have to make a big deal out of it.” he retorted looking slightly uncertain.
“I’m not saying that we’d show up with signs or something. We would just be there is all, like moral support.” she reassured him.
“Just don’t go to any trouble.” he replied simply.
“Don’t worry about it.” she told him.
“Okay. I’ll, uh, let you know if I decide to do it.” he responded.
“Good. I think you should.” she said back.
“I’ll think about it for sure.” he promised.
-/|\-
“So that meeting’s happened now right?” Astro inquired as she took her seat at the lunch table not too many days later.
“Yep.” Zone replied simply.
“And?” she inquired cheerily.
“I guess yeah, I’ll probably go.” he answered indifferently.
“That’s great! Can the rest of us come too to watch?” she replied energetically.
“It was never said that it wasn't allowed.” he told her with a shrug.
“Great! Then we can ask the others if they’re free and everypony who’s available can come.” she replied excitedly.
“Yeah.” he responded with less enthusiasm.
“What are you so worried about?” she inquired in concern.
“Just having an audience. I’m not used to that.” he admitted nervously.
“There’s no pressure you know. If you’d rather that we didn't come then we won’t.” she promised.
“No, it’s… it’s fine. If you want to then come.” he told her dismissively.
“Okay. When is the first day?” she asked.
“Next Wednesday.” he informed her.
“Cool, you want to tell the others?” she queried.
“Okay.” he answered simply.
He turned nervously to look at the rest of the group who had started up their own separate conversation. Still he held his silence though as he saw no need to interrupt whatever it was that they were discussing. Adding to that he didn't really see how he was supposed to make his announcement without disrupting their conversation. He would much rather just wait for them all to finish talking and then present his news. He didn't know how long that would take, but he knew that it was his preference. So he sat quietly, fidgeting every now and then while the others talked. “Do you want me to get them?” she asked him after a bit.
“No. They’re talking, so it can wait.” he answered.
“Well, I don’t think they’ll mind.” she told him.
“It can wait okay.” he said with finality.
“Alright.” she finished before holding her silence.
He sat there in an anxious silence fidgeting around unnoticed for a couple of minutes. The other four were rather engaged in their own conversation while the other two sat in silence. In the end it was the pony sitting next to Astro, Kara, who noticed the uncomfortable silence beside her. She left her current conversation and looked over at the two quiet ponies in confusion. “What’s up with you?” she questioned as she looked over at him.
“Me?” he inquired pointing to himself.
“Yes.” she answered implying that it was obvious.
“Nothing.” he told her indifferently.
“Nope.” she said simply in response.
“What?” he queried in confusion.
“No, something’s up. Maybe instead of being an idiot about it you could say something.” she retorted in annoyance.
He rolled his eyes at the word idiot, but responded anyways. “Yeah well, you guys were talking so…”
“I’m not now.” she pointed out wanting an answer.
“I noticed.” he replied simply.
“And?” she prompted him.
“Flight Team tryouts start next Wednesday.” he told her simply attempting to look indifferent. She gestured for him to continue. “I was planning on going and participating, and stuff.” he finished simply.
“Hey guys! Did you hear that?” she questioned quickly earning the rest of the group’s attention.
“Hear what?” Ink queried leaning over to join the conversation.
“He’s trying out for Flight Team next Wednesday.” she answered with a grin.
“Really?” Spot inquired also entering the new discussion.
“Um… yeah.” he confirmed not enjoying the sudden amount of attention he was receiving.
“That’s cool.” Diplo contributed.
“Yeah, um, it’s probably going to be a lot of fun I think.” he agreed nervously.
“And we are all allowed to go watch too.” Astro added happily.
“Awesome! I’ll be sure to ask if I’m available or not.” Ink promised with a grin. All of the other five promised the same to him.
“Thanks, appreciate it.” he said gratefully, but still sounding uncertain.
The majority of the others started up their own new conversations promptly after his announcement was finished. He was glad to no longer be the center of attention. “You don’t look so excited.” came the comment from beside him. He was surprised to have somepony still speaking to him and was slow to react.
“Not at all. It’s great.” he answered quickly before turning to see who it was. He found that it was Spot who had stopped to converse with him.
“You sure?” he queried doubting the answer.
“Just not used to it is all.” he answered simply.
“What do you mean?” he inquired curiously. He received a simple shrug in response. “Well, I don’t really know what that means either.”
“I don’t want to have to do it in front of everyone. Before if I hadn't done so hot it wouldn't have been a big deal, but now I have an audience.” he informed him.
“Nopony here is going to laugh at you.” he promised.
“I’m not so sure.” he mumbled looking over at Kara.
“She’s not mean, just a bit abrasive is all.” he reassured him.
“Yeah, well, the point is the whole idea of having an audience isn't very exciting.” he stated. As performing in front of an audience had become a more than enjoyable past time for Spot he tried to think of a way to help. He had come quite far from his original performance for the group when he had earned his cutie mark. He had started to try making his own music and other forms of performing arts.
He thought for a moment before telling him, “Try and think of it like this, they’re all coming because they want to see you, if they wanted to be mean about it then they would probably just refuse to show up. They also wouldn't show up just for the sake of judging or making fun. If they think that showing up would be a waste of time then they won’t. Plus it’s something that you want to do right? Why should they be allowed to stop you from enjoying it?”
“Easier said than done.” he mumbled dejectedly.
“Maybe, but we’re meant to be support not a disadvantage.” he told him.
“I know.” he responded simply.
“Okay. You said it was Wednesday?” he queried.
“Yep.” he answered with a nod.
“Then I don’t think I can be there, so that’s one less member of the audience.” he said trying to be helpful.
“Yeah, I guess.” he agreed solemnly.
-/|\-
The group of six ponies was once again sitting together at lunch. “Right, so, let’s get the numbers for the tryouts. Who can go?” Kara opened after they had all arrived, “I can.”
“Me too.” Astro quickly piped up.
“Sorry, but I’m going to busy afterschool that day.” Spot told the group.
“Yeah, me too.” Diplo confirmed apologetically.
“Unfortunately me as well.” Ink added.
“Yeah, well, two is better than none.” Kara said with a shrug.
“Yeah, thanks for at least trying anyways and offering to come.” Zone finished politely slightly relieved that such a small number were available.
-/|\-
Wednesday had arrived and the trio that was able to had stayed after for the tryouts. They were to take place outside just over the school track. “So I guess I just get to watch from below? I mean it is the Flight Team tryouts. I’m not going to be up there.” Kara commented.
“I suppose so, yeah.” Zone answered with a shrug.
“And I can just hover?” Astro inquired looking in the direction of the activity.
“It looks like they have clouds set up.” he pointed out gesturing to the fluffy white clouds residing over the track.
“Obstructing the view a bit aren't they.” Kara remarked in annoyance.
“They probably weren't expecting anypony who isn't a pegasus to be here.” he replied simply.
“Yeah well I’m here.” she retorted.
“Sorry.” he responded dismissively.
“I’ll see if I can find someplace with a good view.” she told them before trotting off.
“Okay, I’m going to head on up.” he finished before flying up to the group that was already there.
There was a group of about twenty pegasi already up there waiting for it to start as well as a smaller group who looked to be the ones in charge. Some were lounging on the clouds that had been laid out while others remained hovering about. He remained in the air instead of joining the group that was resting on the clouds. When Astro joined him she took a seat on one of the clouds surrounding them. He felt his nerves growing as the seconds passed by. He saw various obstacles set up in one area, a relay set up on another, and straight line sprints in other areas. Looking over at the ponies who looked to be supervisors he noticed that they all wore stopwatches around their necks. He figured that they would probably be doing practice races instead of drilling.
Soon enough everypony was there and they were ready to begin. He recognized them all from the previous meeting even if he didn’t know them. They were all asked to divide up and go to the area in which they wanted to participate. He moved in the direction of the obstacle course along with fifteen of the final group of around 45. The others divided up between the other couple areas. Two of the older pegasi followed with them. They all alighted on the starting line shortly before their directions were given.
“Okay we’re going to have four separate races, each one will have four participants, and the winner for each one will have one final race. When your group is off you’ll be running the course individually while one of us times you. Clear?” one of the two told them. A chorus of nods and comments of affirmation followed quickly afterwards.
“Now get in line and count off by fours.” the second one commanded.
Everypony who was a one got in line on one course for the first heat while the other twelve walked over to an identical one. He was one of the twelve who was not in the first group. “The team who has most recently gone will line up to take the individual course, but as nopony has gone yet we’ll have team four line up since they’re last and shouldn’t have to be cut off to go race together. Team four, line up single file for the individual run.” As he was not a four either he stood back and let them all line up to go. While they all started to go he watched the group of ones get ready to fly. He was curious as to just who all had come and their attitudes about it.
For him racing wasn’t a particular passion, but it was the only way he would get to fly. He certainly didn’t expect to beat out any of the more dedicated racers who would be there. It was at least a challenge though. While he was taking an aerodynamics class in school, which was a core class for pegasi, it wasn’t at all engaging. For him everything being taught there was elementary, if he really wanted to learn something he figured that the Flight Team was his best bet. It looked to him like the ponies going were all experienced fliers with a drive similar to himself. He felt at least on par with the pegasi around him.
When they called up the threes for the team race he flew over to the starting line with the rest of his group. He felt nerves coursing through him as he took his place next to the other three in his group. The instructor who was over next to them explained a few simple rules and once the silence fell the group all tensed up waiting for the signal to start. He prepared himself as the moments stretched into minutes in the tension.
The air horn that the instructor was holding sounded and the four were off in an instant. Even if it was a scrimmage all of them flew their hardest against the others. Unfortunately in that moment he became suddenly aware of the eyes that were on him. A need to do well and impress filled him, but the pressure clouded his vision as he moved forward. He could feel the other three pulling ahead of him. He knew that he was a better flyer than that and did his best to focus his attention on the winds around him. Mentally he calculated the winds he’d need to propel himself forward and through and around the course in front of him.
Still the stares bored into him as he rode the winds around him to catch the trio competing for first. As he joined the race for the top spot the anxiety grew as he realized that he had just gained the attention of three more ponies. Just keep to the wind, he reminded himself silently as he continued to catch and follow the currents around him. That was something he could understand at least. As he absorbed his conscious attention in the winds around him he pulled slightly ahead of the current leader if only by a nose. That was how it ended as they pulled across the finishing line of the course.
He stood on the cloud quite shocked that he had managed to beat out the others if only slightly. As his current situation he noticed that the other three racers were looking over at him as well as the instructor. He wilted slightly under their gazes even though their looks were not unkind. “Good job, you’ll be participating in the final race with the other winners.” the instructor said.
“Right.” he mumbled quietly with a nod.
“You four head over to the individual runs and send team four over.”
The group did as they were told and went back to the area where they had started out at. Team four left to go and participate in their race while his team waited to be told to begin the individual race. “You all just finished the group race right?” the supervisor of the individual races asked. The group simply nodded in response. “The winner of the race will go first and then head back over to the group race for the final one. The other three need just line up single file.” Zone recognized that meant that he was to go first and stepped up to the starting line nervously.
As he stood waiting to be told to start he reminded himself that he had just done this and should be just fine. Another part of his mind felt a need to incessantly remind him that since this was individual there was nopony to watch but him, unlike the group. He crouched with his wings out doing his utmost to just feel the winds around him. As he was told to start he took off steadily into the air with the wind beneath supporting him. He rarely had to flap his wings and was able to simply glide along the currents while still keeping up his speed. He knew very well how to stay in the air at a good pace without too much effort. While the gazes unnerved him he reminded himself silently that it wasn’t like he would just fall out of the sky. The wind would never disappear or just cease to exist underneath of him. As he finished the course he felt like his time would be at least respectable.
As he was instructed after he finished he flew back over to the group racer area where the race for group four looked to be close to over. The other two winning ponies sat behind the starting line. One was a filly with a short windblown mane and tail. Her coat was a pastel light blue-violet color with a lavender mane and tail. She already had a cutie mark which was a pale grey and looked like a hurricane. She was watching race four intently and hadn’t seemed to notice him fly over. The second was an evergreen colt who had noticed his approach and smiled slightly at him and waved. His mane and tail were windblown as well, but shorter than the mare’s. They were a lighter shade of green than his coat, but were still dark. He couldn't get a proper view of the colt’s flank due to the way that he was sitting and was unsure of his cutie mark.
He took a seat next to the colt unsure of what to do next. “Hey,” the colt greeted him, “you won the third race right?”
“Yep.” he answered shortly.
“Cool! You excited for the final race?” he responded energetically.
“Yeah, definitely.” he lied as his stomach churned nervously. His eyes found Astro spectating on a cloud not too far away and she smiled reassuringly at him. He offered a quick grin before letting his expression fade back to its normal monotone state.
As the fourth race finished the four finalists lined up on the starting line for a second time. By that point all of the individual runs had been completed and the rest of the ponies that were at their area had gathered to watch the final race. It was a sudden realization that came to him only moments before the air horn sounded. He knew that his take off had been clumsy as he had let himself get distracted and had already lost a lot of ground to the others. His already bad nerves got worse as he saw the distance between himself and the pony closest to him. The one in first was already leagues ahead.
He did his best to compose himself and feel for the winds around him, but the breezes didn’t seem to favor his motion. He could already feel the humiliation he was about to experience by coming in dead last by all of those lengths. As he maneuvered around the objects clumsily his frustration grew only further and his judgment became ever more clouded. The sound of mocking voices came to his head as his performance continued to fall apart. He felt his altitude start to decrease as he let his mind run away from him. He growled angrily under his breath as he managed to barely catch some currents to carry him up. He knew that he had already thrown the race well enough. He moved off of that current onto others and managed to make up some ground, but not nearly enough. In the last stretch of the race he somehow caught up by a number of lengths, but still never made it to the pony in front of him. He was in a rather sinister mood as he pulled across the finish in last.
After they were dismissed he departed quickly for the ground not looking forward to conversation with the two fillies who would be waiting. “So what the hell happened on that last race? I mean you were doing awesome and then you just stopped being amazing.” Kara interrogated as soon as he hit the ground.
“Being amazing?” he questioned in astonishment.
“Well duh! I mean it was like really cool cause they were all like out of breath and stuff and having to try all hard and stuff and you were just like chill and went right past them. You were like floating instead of flying.” she said excitedly moving about to match what it was that she was saying.
“Thanks.” he said honestly still quite surprised at the praise.
“No prob,” she said dismissively, “but still, what happened?”
“There was a crowd and I got nervous and then I got frustrated alright.” he told her his high disappearing as quickly as it had arrived.
“We’ll have to fix that then.” she replied simply.
“What?” he queried in confusion.
“We’ll have to fix that stage fright thing for when you make the team.” she explained like it should have been apparent.
“When I make it?” he inquired curiously.
“Obviously. If you don’t then they’re all stupid.” she stated assuredly.
“Um…” he mumbled uncertainly.
“Anyways, I have to go. See you two at school tomorrow!” she finished before running off.